Ingredients
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1–2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon grainy dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed
2 cups finely chopped kale, stems removed
1 cup shredded red or green cabbage
2 medium-large honeycrisp apples, sliced
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
⅓ cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries)
⅓ cup gorgonzola crumbles
⅓ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
⅓ cup pumpkin seeds
½ tablespoon pure maple syrup (for nut crunch)
¼ teaspoon salt (for nut crunch)
Instructions
- Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add pecans, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, and salt. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and coated. Spread on parchment to cool.
- Thinly slice Brussels sprouts using a knife or mandoline. Place in a large bowl with kale and cabbage.
- Add apples, red onion, cranberries, and gorgonzola crumbles to the bowl.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to combine.
- Top with salted pecan pumpkin seed crunch before serving.
Notes
Swap gorgonzola with feta or goat cheese for a milder flavor.
For added protein, include grilled chicken or roasted chickpeas.
Pears can replace apples, and roasted Brussels sprouts add a warm touch.
Store dressing separately to keep salad fresh for up to 2 days.
Nut crunch can be stored at room temperature in a sealed jar for 3 days.
Toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
To make vegan, skip or replace cheese with a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook (with light stovetop toasting)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe as main)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg